High Levels of E-Coli Found in River Medway

The Medway Liberal Democrats are shocked to have discovered e-coli bacteria within water samples taken from locations along the River Medway. We took samples of river water at St Mary’s Island and the Strand in Gillingham, and our analysis has discovered large amounts of e-coli in them all.

E-coli in water is a very strong indication of sewage or animal waste contamination. Most strains of the bacteria itself are harmless, however some strains can lead extreme cases of vomiting, diarrhoea and in same cases kidney failure. These strains are extremely dangerous to children and our pets. For example, there could be the situation of a football floating in polluted water which a child fishes out, before going home and eating a sandwich. They could potentially become ill if they have not washed their hands thoroughly.

Environment Agency guidelines say that coastal bathing water is considered poor if the e-coli bacteria count is greater than 500 cfu/100ml. At St Mary’s Island our sample was 700 cfu/100ml and at the Strand it was at 1700 cfu/100ml (3.4 times greater than safe levels).

An investigation by Unearthed showed that Medway had the second highest number of sewage overflows for the whole of the Southeast during 2022, with 452 instances of sewage dumping that lasted nearly 700 hours in total. We know that these instances continue to happen, and now our testing has proved that sewage has been part of that dumping.

Graham Colley, Lib Dem candidate for Rochester & Strood, says ‘I’m deeply concerned for the many water-sport clubs and businesses that use this part of the river, whether it’s the local rowing club or the scouts that use it for their kayaking badge. If the water is no longer safe because it’s been contaminated with sewage, these clubs and businesses could potentially close.’

Stuart Bourne, Lib Dem candidate for Gillingham & Rainham, says ‘I take my two kids to the Strand all the time. Like other children down there. they love to throw stones into the water or go for a little paddle on hot days. It is disgraceful that water companies are putting the health of my children are risk by dumping raw sewage into our river.’

We can no longer continue to allow water companies to damage our rivers just to protect their profits. The Conservative government may be willing to turn a blind eye to this, but the Liberal Democrats will not. That is why we have a clear plan to end this horrible practice and save our rivers and seas.

In Medway, we have created a petition that calls Medway Council to regularly test the water in the River Medway, and warn the public if there are dangerous amounts of pollutants. You can sign our petition here:

www.medwaylibdems.org.uk/campaigns/test-the-river-medway-for-sewage

Meanwhile at Westminster, a Liberal Democrat government would:

• Abolish OFWAT and replace it with a more powerful regulator.
• Ban bonuses of water company bosses if they continue to pollute.
• Add a community environment champion to every water board.
• Transform private water companies into public benefit companies

ENDS